A man who allegedly set his ex-girlfriend on fire and left her with burns so severe that she couldn't speak for two months and needed a tracheotomy has been charged with heinous battery and ordered on $3 million dollars bail. The ex-girlfriend could not speak until last week, then told police her ex-boyfriend set her ablaze. Cook County prosecutors charged Damenique Traylor, 19 yesterday.
Traylor, 21, of the 800 block of West 71st Street had said the woman suffered the injuries in a barbecue accident, prosecutors and police said.Prosecutors said Traylor and the 18-year-old woman were living together in his Englewood home when the two quarreled in the early morning hours of Jan. 15. As the fight escalated, she threatened to leave Traylor when he "threw lighter fluid on [the] victim and lit a match and lit [the] victim on fire," according to court documents. Traylor then placed the woman in a tub of water to extinguish the flames before driving her to St. Bernard Hospital, where he told officials of the barbecue accident, authorities said.
After an "alert" was issued, meaning Traylor was wanted for questioning, he turned himself into police. He has two previous arrests for domestic battery and battery.
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Bar rapist pleads no contest just before trial - sentenced to 8 years
Earnest Reno Rainey, 39, pleaded no contest to sexual battery against a physically helpless person in an incident exactly 2 years earlier where he drugged, then raped a woman at a Deland, FL bar.
State Attorney's Office spokeswoman Linda Pruitt said his plea averted a trial for rape (called sexual battery in Florida). Rainey will be sentenced to 8 years in prison and 8 more years of sex offender probation.
The bartender said she saw Rainey sitting next to the victim at the bar at 11 p.m. on March 24, 2006, sheriff's investigators said.
The victim told deputies she ordered a mixed drink that night and does not remember anything else. When she regained consciousness, she discovered Rainey had taken off her pants and was raping her, the report states.
She screamed for help, and Rainey punched her several times and began strangling her. The victim played dead and after Rainey walked away, she picked up her clothes and ran into some nearby woods on East Beresford Avenue, the report states.
The victim passed out again in the woods and did not wake up until the next morning. She could not find her car, which police later found in Sanford.
Rainey was teacked down after DNA evidence was collected, and the bartender picked him out of a lineup. Rainey, after serving his sentence, will be on the Florida sex offender registry for life.
State Attorney's Office spokeswoman Linda Pruitt said his plea averted a trial for rape (called sexual battery in Florida). Rainey will be sentenced to 8 years in prison and 8 more years of sex offender probation.
The bartender said she saw Rainey sitting next to the victim at the bar at 11 p.m. on March 24, 2006, sheriff's investigators said.
The victim told deputies she ordered a mixed drink that night and does not remember anything else. When she regained consciousness, she discovered Rainey had taken off her pants and was raping her, the report states.
She screamed for help, and Rainey punched her several times and began strangling her. The victim played dead and after Rainey walked away, she picked up her clothes and ran into some nearby woods on East Beresford Avenue, the report states.
The victim passed out again in the woods and did not wake up until the next morning. She could not find her car, which police later found in Sanford.
Rainey was teacked down after DNA evidence was collected, and the bartender picked him out of a lineup. Rainey, after serving his sentence, will be on the Florida sex offender registry for life.
Rape, abduction in Harrisburg, PA on Easter
A person allegedly abducted and raped a 27 year old woman in Harriburg, PA Easter afternoon.
Mayor Stephen R. Reed said a 27-year-old woman told police she was walking on Berryhill Street at about 3 p.m. Sunday when she was abducted by a black male driving a white car.
The victim, whom Reed did not name, told police she was forced into the vehicle and driven to a location under the State Street Bridge off Cameron Street. There she was taken out of the car and raped, she told police.
The suspect, described as 5-8 with close-cropped brown or black hair, drove away. The victim called police from the nearest pay phone.
Reed said police later recovered the victim's jacket from the crime scene. He described the victim as being from the region but not a city resident. "We believe the story to be credible," Reed said. "We are treating it as an abduction-rape case. There are multiple felonies involved."
Mayor Stephen R. Reed said a 27-year-old woman told police she was walking on Berryhill Street at about 3 p.m. Sunday when she was abducted by a black male driving a white car.
The victim, whom Reed did not name, told police she was forced into the vehicle and driven to a location under the State Street Bridge off Cameron Street. There she was taken out of the car and raped, she told police.
The suspect, described as 5-8 with close-cropped brown or black hair, drove away. The victim called police from the nearest pay phone.
Reed said police later recovered the victim's jacket from the crime scene. He described the victim as being from the region but not a city resident. "We believe the story to be credible," Reed said. "We are treating it as an abduction-rape case. There are multiple felonies involved."
Spring breaker raped on South Padre Island - no leads yet
On the spring break hotspot of South Padre Island last Thursday, March 20, a 19 year old woman was allegedly raped by a group of men, according to her mother.
She said all three men were tall and muscular with blonde hair and blue eyes.
The men allegedly dragged the girl between two commercial trash bins took turns brutally raping her.
Police told Action 4 News that they had no leads over the weekend.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to call the South Padre Island Police Department at (956) 761-2236.
She said all three men were tall and muscular with blonde hair and blue eyes.
The men allegedly dragged the girl between two commercial trash bins took turns brutally raping her.
Police told Action 4 News that they had no leads over the weekend.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to call the South Padre Island Police Department at (956) 761-2236.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Boyfriend allegedly sexually assaults girlfriend
Jorge Garcia is on the run from sexual assault and false imprisonment charges. According to Kersey, CO police, Garcia picked up his girlfriend and their two kids Monday morning on the pretense that they would be going to an appointment. Instead, the victim was taken to another residence where she was sexually and physically assaulted. After forcing the victim to make dinner for him, she and the children escaped. The victim was treated and released from a local hospital.
Multiple warrants have been issued for the arrest of Jorge Garcia, 19, of Kersey in connection with the felonies of sexual assault and possession of a weapon by a previous offender as well as the misdemeanors of third degree assault and false imprisonment.
Jorge Garcia, who also may go by the name of Alberto Garcia, is 5-feet, 4-inches tall, weighs 125 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes. Those with any information are encouraged to call the Weld County Sheriff's Office at (970) 304-6464.
Multiple warrants have been issued for the arrest of Jorge Garcia, 19, of Kersey in connection with the felonies of sexual assault and possession of a weapon by a previous offender as well as the misdemeanors of third degree assault and false imprisonment.
Jorge Garcia, who also may go by the name of Alberto Garcia, is 5-feet, 4-inches tall, weighs 125 pounds and has black hair and brown eyes. Those with any information are encouraged to call the Weld County Sheriff's Office at (970) 304-6464.
Teens arrested, charged with rape of woman
Two teens, one 17, and one 14, were charged with the rape of a woman in the SE Virginia city of Newport News on January 22. After coming from a store, the boys allegedly confronted her with a gun. One raped her and the other alegedly took CD's and other stuff. The 17 year old was charged with rape, robbery, burglary, using a gun in commission of a felony and related charges. The 14 year old boy fled to Florida, where he was arrested on charges of robbery and burglary.
Friday, March 21, 2008
The Daily Vidette, Illinois State University's paper, debunks rape myths
The Daily Vidette, the Illinois State University newspaper, has an ongoing series about rape myths. Gail Trimpe-Morrow, M.S., L.P.C.: Coordinator Sexual Assault Prevention and Survivor Services talks about the high prevalance of rape, the fact that most rape victims don't report, and about how people blame victims, not perps.
The Daily Vidette's Sexual Assault Myth Of The Month
The Daily Vidette's Sexual Assault Myth Of The Month
Austrailian state toughens rape laws to target those who target impaired adults
The Austrailian state of New South Wales is revising its sexual assault statutes to make it easier for prosecution of sexual abusers of developmentally disabled and other cognitively impaired people. The rate of sexual abuse for this group ranges from 50% to 90%.
Mr Hatzistergos said the term "cognitively impaired" would replace "intellectually disabled" to bring stroke victims, people suffering from alzheimers and the victims of brain injury under the protection of the law.
They are the latest sweeping reforms to the state's sexual assault laws following recommendations from prosecutors, police and health workers on the Government's Sexual Assault Task Force report.
"Taking advantage of a cognitively impaired person for sexual gratification is despicable," Mr Hatzistergos said.
"With the introduction of these laws we are protecting a broader group of disabled people who are vulnerable to the vile predators who prey on them."
Studies have revealed that assaults against intellectually disabled people are severe and ongoing because the victims are not taken seriously or are unable to communicate the problem.
Often the abuse remains hidden by residential care homes, the Task Force report said.
Sexual assault expert Julie Blyth said these victims were more vulnerable because their abusers believed they either would not or could not report them.
"You do not think of these people being targets but it is important for people to realise that offenders target vulnerability. It is about power," said Ms Blyth, of the Northern Sydney Sexual Assault Service.
The penalty for sexual abuse of a cognitively impared person is 10 years for a carer and 8 years for others. There have been only 21 pro secutions of such cases in New South Wales between 2000 and 2005. Rape crisis personnel have worried that cognitively impaired people would not stand up to cross examination.
Mr Hatzistergos said the term "cognitively impaired" would replace "intellectually disabled" to bring stroke victims, people suffering from alzheimers and the victims of brain injury under the protection of the law.
They are the latest sweeping reforms to the state's sexual assault laws following recommendations from prosecutors, police and health workers on the Government's Sexual Assault Task Force report.
"Taking advantage of a cognitively impaired person for sexual gratification is despicable," Mr Hatzistergos said.
"With the introduction of these laws we are protecting a broader group of disabled people who are vulnerable to the vile predators who prey on them."
Studies have revealed that assaults against intellectually disabled people are severe and ongoing because the victims are not taken seriously or are unable to communicate the problem.
Often the abuse remains hidden by residential care homes, the Task Force report said.
Sexual assault expert Julie Blyth said these victims were more vulnerable because their abusers believed they either would not or could not report them.
"You do not think of these people being targets but it is important for people to realise that offenders target vulnerability. It is about power," said Ms Blyth, of the Northern Sydney Sexual Assault Service.
The penalty for sexual abuse of a cognitively impared person is 10 years for a carer and 8 years for others. There have been only 21 pro secutions of such cases in New South Wales between 2000 and 2005. Rape crisis personnel have worried that cognitively impaired people would not stand up to cross examination.
Women veterans suffering from sexual and other trauma
CNN has a story about women veterans in Iraq and Afghanistan, who make up 11% of the veterans in combat. Over one in five of these women have suffered sexual and other trauma, most of which inflicted by male troops who are supposed to support them.
The VA diagnosed 60,000 veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Of those, 22 percent of women suffered from "military sexual trauma," which includes sexual harassment or assault, compared with 1 percent of men.
Christensen, who has been diagnosed with PTSD, says she doesn't like leaving her comfort zone. She doesn't drive more than two miles from her home.
"When I get outside my familiar safe territory, I start to feel overwhelmed," Christensen said. "It gets foggy. Not sure where I'm really going. Something comes over me where I don't feel like I have control over it."
"PTSD is actually something that shows up over time, and so the natural recovery process doesn't happen," said Dr. Darrah Westrup, who counsels female veterans at the VA-run Women's Health Clinic in Menlo Park, California.
"So three months out or so, you find yourself still not sleeping, still with nightmares, still having intrusive thoughts," Westrup said.
Westrup says another factor contributing to poor mental health is the high amount of sexual trauma reported by women screened by the Veterans Administration. She says many women have trouble reporting the trauma to their superiors out of fear of retribution.
"When you are in a war zone, your survival depends on people watching your back and on unit cohesion," Westrup said. "The same individuals who attacked you are those who will be protecting you, or you'll be fighting alongside the next day."
The VA diagnosed 60,000 veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Of those, 22 percent of women suffered from "military sexual trauma," which includes sexual harassment or assault, compared with 1 percent of men.
Christensen, who has been diagnosed with PTSD, says she doesn't like leaving her comfort zone. She doesn't drive more than two miles from her home.
"When I get outside my familiar safe territory, I start to feel overwhelmed," Christensen said. "It gets foggy. Not sure where I'm really going. Something comes over me where I don't feel like I have control over it."
"PTSD is actually something that shows up over time, and so the natural recovery process doesn't happen," said Dr. Darrah Westrup, who counsels female veterans at the VA-run Women's Health Clinic in Menlo Park, California.
"So three months out or so, you find yourself still not sleeping, still with nightmares, still having intrusive thoughts," Westrup said.
Westrup says another factor contributing to poor mental health is the high amount of sexual trauma reported by women screened by the Veterans Administration. She says many women have trouble reporting the trauma to their superiors out of fear of retribution.
"When you are in a war zone, your survival depends on people watching your back and on unit cohesion," Westrup said. "The same individuals who attacked you are those who will be protecting you, or you'll be fighting alongside the next day."
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Rapist convicted of attack on 82 year old woman
Freemansburg, PA native Bobby Jo Buskirk, 28, was convicted of raping and robbing an 82 year old Bethlehem woman on November 2, 2002. Buskirk will face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and a $25,000 fine and sex offender registration under Megan's Law.
Assistant District Attorney Patricia Broscius said Buskirk, wearing a black knit face mask, broke into the victim's home on Nov. 2, 2002, and demanded money.
"He stated, 'I know you have money. I know all about you,'" Broscius said.
When the victim handed over $2, Buskirk pushed her on a sofa and demanded she perform oral sex on him before raping her. Broscius said the victim pleaded with Buskirk to stop.
"He only replied by repeating 'Do you like it?'" Broscius said.
Buskirk ejaculated on the victim, bound her hands with a cable and told her to count to 50 before he left.
Police took DNA samples and sent the results to the state police crime lab. The case languished until last October, when state police reported the samples matched Buskirk.
Buskirk was released from state prison July 6 after finishing time for a parole violation on a felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge from 2004. Buskirk was arrested Nov. 5, and a blood test matched him to the DNA samples taken from the victim.
Judge William Moran ordered a pre-sentencing report and a violent sex offendre evaluation before Buskirk's sentencing on July 2.
Assistant District Attorney Patricia Broscius said Buskirk, wearing a black knit face mask, broke into the victim's home on Nov. 2, 2002, and demanded money.
"He stated, 'I know you have money. I know all about you,'" Broscius said.
When the victim handed over $2, Buskirk pushed her on a sofa and demanded she perform oral sex on him before raping her. Broscius said the victim pleaded with Buskirk to stop.
"He only replied by repeating 'Do you like it?'" Broscius said.
Buskirk ejaculated on the victim, bound her hands with a cable and told her to count to 50 before he left.
Police took DNA samples and sent the results to the state police crime lab. The case languished until last October, when state police reported the samples matched Buskirk.
Buskirk was released from state prison July 6 after finishing time for a parole violation on a felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge from 2004. Buskirk was arrested Nov. 5, and a blood test matched him to the DNA samples taken from the victim.
Judge William Moran ordered a pre-sentencing report and a violent sex offendre evaluation before Buskirk's sentencing on July 2.
Possible campus rape at CA university
The Belmont, CA police department is investigating a report of a rape on the campus of Notre Dame De Namur University. It allegedly occured at 4:30 AM Sunday, March 16 when after a man and a woman went back into a dorm, and the woman allegedly was assaulted.
"We're dealing with the statements of two different people saying different things and we're trying to make sense of it," said Lt. Kevin Daly, of the Belmont police.
The university's Chief of Public Safety David Mefford implied that there was drinking involved.
"When you have alcohol involved and students are partying, things do happen," Mefford said.
Daley said he could not release any personal information about the female or male, but he believes students should not be fearful.
"We don't have a predator problem," he said. "It's still under investigation. It's an isolated incident and it does not pose a threat."
Mefford said that in his 20 years of working on campus, he's never seen or heard of a sexual assault case that involved a stranger and that usually they stem from mixing alcohol and acquaintances.
The campus website stated that sexual assaults which are forcible only occur an average of once a year since 2005
I disagree. Some sexual predators only have one long term victim, and some serial rapists operate as "boyfriends" who date rape their victims after gaining her trust, then leaving her for the next victim. Sexual predators usually, but don't have to have multiple victims.
"We're dealing with the statements of two different people saying different things and we're trying to make sense of it," said Lt. Kevin Daly, of the Belmont police.
The university's Chief of Public Safety David Mefford implied that there was drinking involved.
"When you have alcohol involved and students are partying, things do happen," Mefford said.
Daley said he could not release any personal information about the female or male, but he believes students should not be fearful.
"We don't have a predator problem," he said. "It's still under investigation. It's an isolated incident and it does not pose a threat."
Mefford said that in his 20 years of working on campus, he's never seen or heard of a sexual assault case that involved a stranger and that usually they stem from mixing alcohol and acquaintances.
The campus website stated that sexual assaults which are forcible only occur an average of once a year since 2005
I disagree. Some sexual predators only have one long term victim, and some serial rapists operate as "boyfriends" who date rape their victims after gaining her trust, then leaving her for the next victim. Sexual predators usually, but don't have to have multiple victims.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Police officer, husband of news anchor, charged in rape of 17 year old girl,
New Rochelle policeman Sgt. David Rodriguez, the husband of a prominent New York City anchorwoman, was arrested on 1st degree rape charges after having sex with a 17 year old girl.
The incident allegedly occured February 8, after police officers were called to the 17 year old girl's home for a domestic incident. The 35 year old boyfriend was arrested on domestic charges, and released that night. After the release, police were called again to the residence, including Rodriguez, and the boyfriend was charged with violating an order of protection. The girl's boyfriend is not being charged with statutory rape because the AOC in New York is 17.
The victim alleges that on February 10, Rodriguez forced his way into her home and sexually attacked her.
His wife, Darlene Rodriguez, anchorwoman of WNBC-TV's "Today in New York," was in tears outside the courtroom before the arraignment. But she left the courthouse dry-eyed with her husband and said,
"I just want to say I know a lot of you and a lot of you know me. I'm here to support my husband," she said. "I believe in him. I love him. And he's innocent 100%."
Rodriguez did not speak, but his attorney, Stephen Worth, said the charge was false, the investigation was slipshod and the girl "has a number of motives to make up a false allegation." He did not elaborate.
[New Rochelle Police Commisioner Patrick Carroll]said the investigation was thorough.
"We took our time," he said. "We didn't jump to any conclusions." Carroll had announced the rape allegation, without naming Rodriguez, more than a month ago, and suspended him with pay. At the time, he said the sergeant had "a sterling record."
Rodriguez, a nine year veteran, pleaded not guilty to 1st degree rape, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, and posted his $25,000 bail yesterday.
The incident allegedly occured February 8, after police officers were called to the 17 year old girl's home for a domestic incident. The 35 year old boyfriend was arrested on domestic charges, and released that night. After the release, police were called again to the residence, including Rodriguez, and the boyfriend was charged with violating an order of protection. The girl's boyfriend is not being charged with statutory rape because the AOC in New York is 17.
The victim alleges that on February 10, Rodriguez forced his way into her home and sexually attacked her.
His wife, Darlene Rodriguez, anchorwoman of WNBC-TV's "Today in New York," was in tears outside the courtroom before the arraignment. But she left the courthouse dry-eyed with her husband and said,
"I just want to say I know a lot of you and a lot of you know me. I'm here to support my husband," she said. "I believe in him. I love him. And he's innocent 100%."
Rodriguez did not speak, but his attorney, Stephen Worth, said the charge was false, the investigation was slipshod and the girl "has a number of motives to make up a false allegation." He did not elaborate.
[New Rochelle Police Commisioner Patrick Carroll]said the investigation was thorough.
"We took our time," he said. "We didn't jump to any conclusions." Carroll had announced the rape allegation, without naming Rodriguez, more than a month ago, and suspended him with pay. At the time, he said the sergeant had "a sterling record."
Rodriguez, a nine year veteran, pleaded not guilty to 1st degree rape, which carries a maximum sentence of 25 years in prison, and posted his $25,000 bail yesterday.
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